UV Disinfection Device and Method

ABSTRACT

A device for cleaning a target may include a housing including a base and a lid; a chamber within the housing having a top within the lid, a bottom within the base, and at least one UV reflective plate; at least one UV emitter attached to the housing and positioned to emit UV radiation into the chamber; and a support attached to the housing and located in the chamber, the support configured for locating the target so that the UV radiation illuminates the target. All of the at least one UV emitters may be located in the base of the housing and none of the at least one UV emitters may be located in the lid of the housing. A means may be provided for rotating the support relative to the base so that the target moves relative to the at least one UV emitter. The means may include at least one of a fan, a motor, and actuator, and/or specially-configured support plates, and/or bases of housings.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 63/053,105, filed Jul. 17, 2020, which is incorporated by referenceherein in their entireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to ultraviolet radiation, andmore particularly, to a device and method for disinfection of a target,such as a sound transmission device, and the like, using ultravioletradiation.

BACKGROUND

Reliable disinfection of sound transmission devices, such as hearing aiddevices, wired and wireless transmitter/receivers including earphones,earbuds, and Bluetooth devices, etc., is a major problem. Chemicaltreatment using various disinfecting liquids is usually selective anderadicates some microorganisms but not all. However, chemical treatmentmay undesirably alter surface properties of the items under treatment.Chemical treatment without submersion and using wipes is complicated,especially for small items.

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation may be used to disinfect and operates bydamaging and/or destroying DNA in a non-selective way. Differentmicroorganisms have different doses for eradication. Eradication ofmicroorganisms is achieved by controlling ultraviolet radiation doses tomake them sufficient for eradication of most ultraviolet resistantspecies. Most common sources of ultraviolet light for disinfection arevarious lamps, primarily Mercury lamps. Disinfection devices based onMercury lamps are bulky and can only be used as desktop devices. Theygenerate large amounts of heat which limits disinfection exposure timeand distance from irradiated object, which, in turn imposes minimumcritical footprint of the devices. Mercury lamps contain hazardousmaterials (Mercury), use high voltage and are easy to break causingspill of Mercury and contamination of disinfection devices andirradiated objects. Sensitivity of the lamps to mechanical stress limituse of disinfection devices for travel and outdoors.

Surfaces of objects can be processed using ultraviolet light as agermicidal medium to reduce the microbial load. Water and air have beentreated with ultraviolet light for quite some time to provide safedrinking water and eliminate air-borne infections and harmful pathogens.High power ultraviolet lamps have been used to disinfect surgery roomsin hospitals and sterilize medical instruments. All these applicationsuse a variety of ultraviolet lamps, primarily low-pressure andmedium-pressure Mercury lamps ranging from compact lamps for watertreatment outdoors and disinfecting small devices such as HADs tomassive lamp assemblies used in municipal water treatment plants. Use ofsuch ultraviolet lamps requires complex electronics for ignition andstable operation of these high-voltage and temperature-sensitive lightsources that need a significant warm up time to become fullyoperational. They also require special safety and handling procedures,especially during maintenance and replacement process in order toprevent glass breakup and contamination of environment with hazardousmaterials.

UV LED's can also be used to kill microorganisms. Peak emissionwavelength of UV LED's can be adjusted during manufacturing process toprovide an optimal irradiation band for eradication of specificbacteria, viruses, mold and fungi. In general, ultraviolet light isclassified into three wavelength ranges: UV-C, from about 200 nanometers(nm) to about 280 nm; UV-B, from about 280 nm to about 320 nm; and UV-A,from about 320 nm to about 400 nm. Generally, ultraviolet light, and inparticular, UV-C light is “germicidal,” i.e., it deactivates the DNA ofbacteria, viruses and other pathogens and thus destroys their ability tomultiply and cause infections and diseases. This effectively results ineradication of the microorganisms. Specifically, UV-C light causesdamage to the nucleic acid of microorganisms by forming covalent bondsbetween certain adjacent bases in the DNA. The formation of these bondsprevents the DNA from replication, and the organism is neither able toproduce molecules essential for life process, nor is it able toreproduce. In fact, when an organism is unable to produce theseessential molecules or is unable to replicate, it becomes harmless.

While existing devices work for their intended purposes, it can bedifficult to effectively clean all surfaces of a complex-shaped targetitem that may be shaped for placement on or in a user's ear withoutemploying many LED devices, movable LED devices, complex light deliverysystems, etc. Accordingly, a UV disinfection device and method that weresimple, cost effective, energy efficient, or that addressed one of thedrawbacks of existing disinfection systems or other issue would bewelcome.

SUMMARY

According to certain aspects of the disclosure, various aspects ofdevices and methods and provided for disinfecting and/or and dryingtarget items placed within a chamber of a disinfecting device. Inembodiments disclosed herein, an ultraviolet autonomous device uses UVradiation provided by UV emitters, which may be LED's, super-luminescentLED's, laser diodes, or other UV emitters.

According to one aspect of the disclosure, a device for cleaning atarget may include a housing including a base and a lid; a chamberwithin the housing having a top within the lid, a bottom within thebase, and at least one UV reflective plate; at least one UV emitterattached to the housing and positioned to emit UV radiation into thechamber, all of the at least one UV emitters being located in the baseof the housing and none of the at least one UV emitters being located inthe lid of the housing; and a support attached to the housing andlocated in the chamber, the support configured for locating the targetso that the UV radiation illuminates the target. Various options andmodifications are possible.

For example, the at least one UV reflective plate may be locatedadjacent the top of the chamber above the support in the lid or adjacentthe bottom of the chamber below the support in the base, or the at leastone UV reflective plate may include a first UV reflective plate locatedadjacent the top of the chamber above the support in the lid and asecond UV reflective plate located adjacent the bottom of the chamberbelow the support in the base. The base and the lid may be attachedtogether by a hinge. At least one actuator may be provided in the basefor creating vibration sufficient to move the target relative to thesupport.

The support may be rotatably mounted to the base, rotation of thesupport causing the target to be moved relative to the at least one UVemitter in the base. If so, a fan may be provided in the base forproviding an airflow sufficient to rotate the support relative to thebase. Also, at least one fin may be attached to a bottom surface of thesupport, the airflow from the fan impinging on the at least one fin torotate the support relative to the base. Also, a motor may be providedin the base with a driven output configured for rotating the supportrelative to the base.

The support may include a top surface defining a depression in a centerthereof configured for receiving the target and gravitationally urgingthe target toward a location in which the UV radiation illuminates thetarget.

The at least one UV emitter may include a first UV emitter centrallylocated beneath the support within the base and at least one second UVemitter spaced radially from the first UV emitter. If desired, three ormore of the second UV emitters may be spaced around the first UVemitter. The first UV emitter and/or the second UV emitter may eachinclude one of an LED, a UV LED, or a waveguide outlet.

According to certain other aspects of the disclosure, a device forcleaning a target may include a housing including a base and a lid; achamber within the housing having a top within the lid, a bottom withinthe base, and at least one UV reflective plate; at least one UV emitterattached to the housing and positioned to emit UV radiation into thechamber; a support rotatably attached to the housing and located in thechamber, the support configured for locating the target so that the UVradiation illuminates the target; and a means for rotating the supportrelative to the base so that the target moves relative to the at leastone UV emitter. Various options and modifications are possible.

For example, the at least one UV reflective plate may include a first UVreflective plate located adjacent the top of the chamber above thesupport in the lid and a second UV reflective plate located adjacent thebottom of the chamber below the support in the base.

The means for rotating may include a fan in the base for providing anairflow sufficient to rotate the support relative to the base, and mayalso include at least one fin attached to a bottom surface of thesupport, the airflow from the fan impinging on the at least one fin torotate the support relative to the base. Alternatively, the means forrotating may include a motor in the base with a driven output configuredfor rotating the support relative to the base.

If desired, all of the at least one UV emitter may be located in thebase of the housing and none of the at least one UV emitter may belocated in the lid of the housing. Also, the at least one UV emitter mayinclude a first UV emitter centrally located beneath the support withinthe base and at least one second UV emitter spaced radially from thefirst UV emitter.

According to other aspects of the disclosure, a device for cleaning atarget may include a housing including a base and a lid; a chamberwithin the housing having a top within the lid, a bottom within thebase, and at least one UV reflective plate; at least one UV emitterattached to the housing and positioned to emit UV radiation into thechamber; a support rotatably attached to the housing and located in thechamber, the support configured for locating the target so that the UVradiation illuminates the target, the support including at least one finattached to a bottom surface of the support; and a fan for providing anairflow impinging on the at least one fin to rotate the support relativeto the base to thereby move the target relative to the at least one UVemitter. Various options and modifications are possible.

For example, the at least one UV reflective plate may include a first UVreflective plate located adjacent the top of the chamber above thesupport in the lid and a second UV reflective plate located adjacent thebottom of the chamber below the support in the base. Also, all of the atleast one UV emitter may be located in the base of the housing and noneof the at least one UV emitter are located in the lid of the housing.

According to other aspects of the disclosure, a device for cleaning atarget may include a housing including a base and a lid; a chamberwithin the housing having a top within the lid, a bottom within thebase, and at least one UV reflective plate; at least one UV emitterattached to the housing and positioned to emit UV radiation into thechamber; a support rotatably attached to the housing and located in thechamber, the support configured for locating the target so that the UVradiation illuminates the target; and a motor in the base with a drivenoutput configured for rotating the support relative to the base tothereby move the target relative to the at least one UV emitter. Variousoptions and modifications are possible.

For example, the at least one UV reflective plate may include a first UVreflective plate located adjacent the top of the chamber above thesupport in the lid and a second UV reflective plate located adjacent thebottom of the chamber below the support in the base. Also, all of the atleast one UV emitter may be located in the base of the housing and noneof the at least one UV emitter may be located in the lid of the housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the disclosure will be more readilyunderstood from the following detailed description of the variousaspects of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings that depict various aspects of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one example of a portable and autonomousultraviolet disinfection and/or drying device with its lid opened,showing a UV LED mounted in the center of the device lid and aperforated support for the target item(s) to be disinfected and/ordried.

FIG. 2 is a partially broken-away isometric view of the device of FIG.1, showing a vibration actuator, bottom UV reflective surface, air fanand other internal components.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the device of FIG. 1, with the supportand bottom UV reflective surface removed to show further internalcomponents.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the device of FIG. 1, with the lidclosed, showing air gaps in the cover of the lid.

FIG. 5 is a bottom isometric view of the device of FIG. 1, showing airgaps in the bottom of the base of the device.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 1 taken acrossline 7-7 in FIG. 6, showing a chamber within the device defined by UVreflective surfaces, a UV LED and a target item on a support, andshowing O-rings for radiation, moisture, and flow confinement and/orvibration control, as well as vibration control pads.

FIG. 8 is a close-up cross-sectional view of the chamber portion of FIG.7.

FIG. 9 is an example of one possible circuit diagram for the device ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing that actuators may operate linearlyor rotationally along three perpendicular axes relative to a target itemon the support of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a modified version of the device ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a close-up cross-sectional view of a portion of the chamberportion of the device of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing another modified version of thedevice of FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view showing another modified version of thedevice of FIG. 1.

FIG. 15 is a schematic side view showing another modified version of thedevice of FIG. 1.

FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a schematic top view of the holding plate of the device ofFIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a schematic top view of an alternate holding plate for thedevice of FIG. 15.

FIG. 19 is a schematic top view of an alternate, rotatable holding platehaving fins adaptable to other embodiments above.

FIG. 20 is a schematic top view of another alternate rotatable holdingplate of the assembly of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a schematic side view showing use of the rotatable holdingplate of FIG. 19 in a base of a device as above with a fan.

FIG. 22 is a schematic side view of an alternative to FIG. 21 adaptableto above embodiments, wherein a holding plate is rotatable via a motorin the base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed reference will now be made to the drawings in which examplesembodying the present disclosure are shown. The detailed descriptionuses numeral and letter designations to refer to features in thedrawings. Like or similar designations in the drawings and descriptionhave been used to refer to like or similar parts of the disclosure.

The drawings and detailed description provide a full and enablingdescription of the disclosure and the manner and process of making andusing it. Each embodiment is provided by way of explanation of thesubject matter not limitation thereof. In fact, it will be apparent tothose skilled in the art that various modifications and variations maybe made to the disclosed subject matter without departing from the scopeor spirit of the disclosure. For instance, features illustrated ordescribed as part of one embodiment may be used with another embodimentto yield a still further embodiment.

Generally speaking, the present disclosure is directed to variousembodiments of a disinfection, cleaning, and/or drying device and methodusing UV radiation. As shown in FIGS. 1-10, a first embodiment 20 ofsuch a device includes a housing 22 which may have a base 24, a lid 26attached to the base by a hinge 28. Within device 20 is a chamber 30(see FIG. 7), a first UV reflective plate 32 in lid 26, and a second UVreflective plate 34 in base 24. A third (or fourth, etc.) UV reflectivesurface 36 may be formed in lid 26 (as shown) or base 24 to provide asubstantially continuous reflective chamber 30 for generally envelopinga target item 38 such as a sound transmission device, hearing aiddevice, wired and wireless transmitter/receiver, earphone, earbud,Bluetooth device, or other similar sized and/or purposed device, etc.Plates 32,34 may be curved, for example parabolic or substantiallyparabolic, and may have identical or differing curvature. However, oneor both plates 32,34 may be flat.

At least one UV emitter, in this case an LED 40, is attached to housing22, in this case first UV reflective plate 32, and is positioned to emitUV radiation into chamber 30. UV LED 40 may be formed in an assemblyincluding typical electric connections and controls (not shown) and aheat sink 42 for removing heat generated by the UV LED.

A support 44 is attached to housing 22 and is located in chamber 30between first UV reflective plate 32 and second UV reflective plate 34.Support 44 locates target 38 between first UV reflective plate 32 andsecond UV reflective plate 34 so that the UV radiation illuminates thetarget. Support 44 as shown is a perforated, mesh-like structureextending substantially across chamber 30 within base 24 when lid 26 isclosed.

As shown in FIG. 8, near the center of support 44 and UV LED 40, aspacing of a predetermined distance H1 exists between the support andtop of chamber 30 (as defined here by first UV reflective plate 32).Toward the periphery of support 44, a predetermined distance H2 existsbetween these elements. As Illustrated, H2 is smaller than H1, as thecurvature of plate 32 helps with reflection of UV radiation withinchamber and toward target 32. However, plate 32 need not be used and/orneed not be curved, so H2 need not be smaller than H1. As alsoillustrated, at least H1, and optionally both H1 and H2 may be largerthan h, a height of target 32 (optionally a maximum height depending onorientation of target on support 44). Such dimensioning also assists indirecting UV illumination toward and onto target 32. As discussed inmore detail below, such dimensioning allows for vibrational movement oftarget 32 relative to support 44 UV LED 40 and chamber in general 30.

At least one actuator 46 may be attached to housing 22, in this casebase 24, and is positioned to move target 38 relative to support 44while UV LED 40 emits UV radiation. As shown in FIG. 3, two suchactuators 46 may be provided, mounted in opposing directions so as tocreate movement in differing planes. As illustrated, each actuator 46may be a vibro-actuating motor 48 attached by a mount 50 to base 24, andattached to second UV reflective plate 34 by screws 52. Eachvibro-actuating motor 46 may create linear motion and/or rotationalmotion. FIG. 10 shows three such motors 48 x, 48 y, and 48 z, providinglinear and/or rotational movement relative to the common x, y, and zaxes. Alternatively, actuators 46 may also comprise piezoelectricactuators. Actuators 46 are provided to create motion and/or vibrationsufficient to move target 38 relative to UV LED so as to providediffering illumination of the target over time, so as to reduce oreliminate non-uniform irradiation of the target 38. If desired, suchmovement can be of a frequency and amplitude to turn over, rotate, etc.,the target 38 so as to provide coverage of more if not all surfaces ofthe target. Use of a highly reflective chamber 30 as described aboveassists with improving UV LED radiation of such coverage so that moreuniform coverage is achieved.

Configuring chamber 30 so that at least the center portion near UV LED40 has a predetermined spacing of H1 greater than a height h of target32 enables the one or more actuators 46 provided to move target 32relative to support 44. Further, if at least H1, if not H2 or otherportions are greater than at least 1.25 or at least 1.5 times h, theability to achieve such movement may be enhanced. Moreover, having atleast H1 be greater than h by such amounts can assist substantially inallowing target 32 to flip over due to the vibrations of the at leastone actuator 46. If target 32 is a hearing aid, such devices come inmany styles (e.g., in the canal, completely in the canal, in the ear,behind the ear, receiver in canal, receiver in ear, open fit, etc.).Such devices vary in size, both within styles and between styles, as doother target such as earbuds, Bluetooth devices, etc. Thus, H1 may be assmall as 0.5 inches for relatively smaller targets, but H1 more likelyto allow for vigorous movement and/or flipping of target 38 or use witha larger target or a range of differently-sized targets at higher sizes,such as 1.0 inches, 1.25 inches, 1.5 inches, 2.0 inches, 3.0 inches, ormore, etc. A balancing of H1 to H2 ratios, taking into account thecurvature of UV plate 32 or chamber top, depending on desired reflectionpattern and overall size of device 20, can also factor into thedimensioning of H1, H2, curvature of UV plate 32, etc. For example, H1can be greater than H2, 1.25 times greater, 1.5 times greater, or more,etc.

If desired, one or more actuators 46 can be mounted at or in contactwith any location within device 20, such as base 24, lid 26, surfaces32,34,36, UV LED/heat sink assembly 40/42, support 44, etc. Suchactuators can be used to move/deform/vibrate the reflective surfaces,the UV LED, the support, etc.

The UV LED 40 selected as the UV emitter can be a single UV LED ormultiple UV LED's, or one or more UV LED's with multiple chips, with acommon or independent control of each UV LED and/or chip. UV LED peakemission wavelength is in UV-C spectral range with a wavelength range ofbetween 200 nm to about 285 nm, however, ranges may also be about 200 nmto about 235 nm and about 255 nm to about 285 nm which are effectiveagainst certain microorganisms. While susceptibility to UV light varies,exposure to UV energy for about 20 to about 34 milliwatt-seconds/cm2 isadequate to deactivate approximately 99 percent of most pathogens. Otherparameters may be used, however. As discussed below, a controller can beused to alter the timing and power of the UV LED.

Alternatively, the UV emitter(s) may further include or instead includea super-luminescent (SLED or SLD), a laser diode (LD), or any other UVsource providing emissions suitable for control of microorganisms, asmentioned above, whether entirely within the above spectral ranges orwithin other ranges.

A super-luminescent diode is an edge-emitting or vertically-emittingsemiconductor light source. It combines the high power and brightness oflaser diodes with the low coherence of conventional light-emittingdiodes. A super-luminescent light emitting diode is, similar to a laserdiode, based on an electrically driven pn-junction that, when biased inforward direction, becomes optically active and generates amplifiedspontaneous emission (stimulated emission) over a wide range ofwavelengths. The peak wavelength and the intensity of the SLED depend onthe active material composition and on the injection current level.SLED's are designed to have high single pass amplification for thespontaneous emission generated along the waveguide but, unlike laserdiodes, insufficient feedback to achieve lasing action. This is obtainedvery successfully through the joint action of a tilted waveguide andanti-reflection coated facets.

A laser diode is a semiconductor device that emits light through aprocess of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission ofelectromagnetic radiation. The main difference compared to SLEDs is astrong feedback that occurs in the optical cavity in betweenanti-reflection coated facets designed for multi-pass amplification.Optical amplification occurs in the cavity under injected electriccurrent sufficient to create so called “inversion-population.”

Support 44 may be a continuous perforated holder, as illustrated toallow light transmission therethrough. Alternatively, it may be atransmissive, transparent, and/or or UV reflective material. Thus,support 44 may be a discontinuous UV reflective member includingmaterial selected from Aluminum, UV-enhanced Aluminum, Aluminum OxideAluminum, and UV-enhanced Aluminum Oxide Aluminum, or it may include aUV-transparent polymer selected from FEP, EFEP, PLA, and LDPE. Support44 may include a discontinuous member, a perforated member, a grid, amesh, a weave, etc. Support 44 may include a plurality of openings fortransmitting emitted UV radiation therethrough, as well as allowingairflow therethrough. Support 44 may be removable (e.g., by removingscrews, by a snap fit, etc.) for cleaning the support, plate 34, and/orbase 24.

A fan 54 may be located within housing 22, for example within base 24,for pulling air through housing 22 past target 38 to assist in dryingthe target. One flow path is as follows: lid cover 56 may have openings58, first plate 32 may have openings 60, support 44 may have openings62, plate 34 may have openings 64, and base 24 may have openings 66.However, other openings and flow paths are possible thorough housing 22upstream and downstream of fan 54. The air-flow may go in eitherdirection (lid-to-base or base-to-lid), or may be through lid only orbase only, and need not go past or through support 44. Thus, if desired,fan 54 may pull air past UV LED 40 and remove heat generated by the UVLED (from heat sink 42 if present) to assist in drying target 38. Fan 54may be operated continuously, intermittently, before or after the UVLED, based on a sensed temperature, moisture or humidity level, etc.,and may be stopped, started, adjusted or modulated as desired.

Device 20 may include at least one UV radiation monitoring structure 68,which may be a sensor (as shown) or may be a window (not shown) thoughbase 24 and/or lid 26. Sensor 68 located within housing 22 may be forexample a photodetector for sensing UV radiation and communicating acorresponding signal to a controller 70 located within the housing.Sensor 68 may be a single UV photodetector and/or multiple UVphotodetectors with different spectral responses. UV LED emission ofparasitic visible light, predominantly close to blue, yellow, or whitefor example may be monitored. If UV monitoring structure 68 is a window,it may be a UV blocking window located in the housing with a materialthat transmits a parasitic visible light emitted by the UV LED, or itmay include a fluorescing material activated by the UV LED to transmit afluorescent visible light. The window may block UV radiation andtransmit white light or visible light with wavelength longer than 400nm. Lack of sensed emission, visible light, fluorescence, etc.,indicates failure of the UV LED radiation source and/or the device ingeneral. Also, indicator LED's 78, 80 may be provided on outside ofhousing 22 to indicate for example, power on, UV LED on, fan on,cleaning in progress, cleaning complete, etc.

Device 20 may include elements for vibration isolation and UV blocking.O-rings 72,74 may be located in base 24 and lid 26 to reduce vibrationof the device. Vibration isolation pads 76 are attached to the bottom ofbase 24. O-rings 72,74 may also assist in blocking UV radiation fromescaping radially out of device 20, and a small annular wall 75 on oneor both of base 24 and lid 26 may also assist in such blocking.

The electrical connections of elements of device 20 are omitted forclarity, but are shown schematically in FIG. 9. As illustrated,controller 70 may be provided as hard-wired circuitry on a printedcircuit board within the housing for controlling the at least one UV LED40, actuator 46, and the device in general. Device 20 may be powered viaa USB-type connector providing 5VDC power. The device could also bepowered by an external battery or an internal rechargeable battery. Fan54 may also be 5VDC, and may draw about 0.2 A at 10,000 rpm, moving 2.6cfm. Vibro-actuator motors 48 may operate at 3VDC and 0.05 A, to providevibrations at 120-150 HZ with an amplitude of 0.5 g. On-off switch 84may be provided on housing 22 for the user to operate. Controller 70 mayinclude a timer relay with programming in memory, or solid state orother logic control to control the operation of the disclosed elements.A cover-open sensor 86 may be provided to turn off device 20 in total,or just UV LED 40, or to simply provide a signal to controller 70 if lid26 is raised. Sensor 86 may include a reed switch 88 and a magnet 90 orother sensor, such as electronic, electromagnetic, optical, physical,etc. Sensors may be provided throughout device 20 as noted above (butnot shown in FIG. 9) and connected to the controller 70 as needed.

Controller 70 may send signals to UV LED 40 to control at least one ofthe intensity, wavelength, duration and schedule of the emitted UVradiation. A temperature sensor may be provided in communication withcontroller 70, with the controller sending control signals to UV LED 40based on a signal received from the temperature sensor so as to achievea desired temperature. Controller 70 may control a speed of fan 54 so asto achieve a desired air flow through the housing. Controller 70 can beused to operate device 20 sufficiently to sanitize target 38. Forhearing aid devices, 15-20 minutes may be sufficient, although longertimes may be used. For certain organisms, cycling may improvedisinfection rates to avoid photo-reactivation. Device 20 can be runovernight, at a set time (if controller 70 and/or device 20 includes aclock/timer function). Accordingly, many different modes of operationmay be selectable, either by hard-wiring or programming them intocontroller 70, or by providing switching or other user input-outputdevices for user indication of desired operation.

According to certain other aspects of the disclosure, a method forcleaning a target 38 may include the steps of supporting the target 38on a support 44 in a chamber 30 in a housing 22, the chamber defined byfirst and second UV reflective plates 32,34; operating at least one UVLED 40 attached to housing 22 and positioned to emit UV radiation intochamber 30 so that the UV radiation illuminates target 38; and operatingan actuator 46 to modify the UV radiation illumination of target 38while UV LED 40 is operated. Actuator 46 may move target 38 relative tosupport 44 while operating, and/or may deform and thereby change acurvature of at least one of first and second UV reflective plates 32,34while operating, and/or may move UV LED 40 relative to housing 22 whenactivated.

It should be understood that device 20 and accordingly theabove-described method may be modified in various ways, such as, forexample, by changing the shape of or eliminating any one, two, or all ofUV reflective plates 32,34,36, by modifying the surface profile ofsupport 44 (for example, by including a depression to help keep thetarget centered beneath the UV LED), by providing vertical vibration (incombination or alone) sufficient to cause the target to flip over on thesupport, by configuring actuator mount 50 in different ways or byconnecting the actuator mount to different elements (including support44), by providing an air flow from fan 54 (or an additional fan) to helpkeep the target centered beneath the UV LED, by using or adding analternate UV emitter, etc.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show an additional embodiment of a device 120 forcleaning a target 138. For brevity and clarity, like and similarreference numerals in the 100 series are used in the figures to refer tolike and similar elements of device 120, although not all mentionedherein. Differences between embodiments will be highlighted.

As illustrated, device 120 includes a housing 122, a chamber 130 withinthe housing having a top defined by UV reflective plate 132, and abottom defined by UV reflective plate 134. The UV emitter, in this casean LED 140 but also possibly adding or substituting another type of UVemitter as noted above, is located to emit UV radiation into chamber130, and a support 144 is attached to housing 122. Support 144 islocated in the chamber 130 so as to be spaced from the top by apredetermined distance (varying between H1, H2, and H3) sufficient toallow target 138 (with height h) to flip within the chamber.

Support 144 is configured for locating target 138 so that the UVradiation illuminates the target. Support 144 may be flat as in device20 above, or it may be non-flat as in device 120. As illustrated inFIGS. 11 and 12, support 144 includes a top surface defining adepression 145 configured for receiving target 138 and gravitationallyurging the target toward a location in which the UV radiationilluminates the target (e.g., toward UV LED 140). As shown, depression145 is located generally vertically beneath UV LED 140 in chamber 130.Slanted sides 147 around depression angle upwards to periphery 149. Useof slanted sides 147 assist with gravitational urging of target 138toward depression 145 from periphery and/or help maintain the targetwithin the depression as vibration occurs. Such configuration to assistwith maintaining target 138 in position to receive UV radiation can behelpful in efficiently irradiating the target. Such configuration can beparticularly useful, but is not required in all embodiments, in devicesin which actuators operate vigorously enough to flip over target 138within chamber 130.

It should be understood that support 144 can be configured in othernon-flat shapes than elements 145/147/149 as illustrated to assist withlocating target 138. For example, and of portions 145/147/149 need notbe linear or flat in cross-section as illustrated. Support 144 could becontinuously curved from periphery of support 144 toward center of thesupport with a curve approximating or with greater radius of curvaturethan plate 134. Portions 145/147/149 can be of different radius onsupport 144 relative to each other or support 144 in general. Portions145 and 147 could be combined into a continuous curve or conical slantrather than the illustrated conical slant (147) and flat (145). Ifdesired, housing 122 may be configured so that the predetermineddistance (H1, H2 and/or H3) is adjustable, wherein the location of someor all of support 144 is adjustable relative to the top of chamber 130.Such could be achieved by providing a support 144 movable relative tobase 124, or a single part or multi-part support that is itselfreconfigurable, bendable, slidable, articulable, etc.

These and other modified configurations cold be used with support 144 toassist in locating target in a desired orientation nearer UV LED,although a flat support as in support 44 could be used as well. Also, insome aspects as in the claims below, a reflective plate such as plate134 could be considered the support, and a separate support such aselement 144 could be eliminated. Use of structures to assist in locatingtarget 138 nearer UV LED 140 can provide better instantaneous radiationcoverage of the target. Accordingly, a shorter total duration ofillumination may be required, a weather LED may be employed, etc., tosave time, electricity, etc., in some aspects.

If desired, a protecting coating may be provided on or between one ormore of UV reflective plates 132,134,136, in particular, any plate thatmight be contacted by target 138 during vibrational moving. Thus, aprotecting covering such as a continuous or discontinuous UV transparentpolymer, coating, etc. can be applied to any surface desired, includingthose that might be contacted by target 138. Such includes an embodimentwhere plate 134 itself acts as support, as noted above.

If desired, openings in plate 134 (either in addition to openings suchas 64 in FIG. 2, or by moving openings 64) may be provided radiallyoutwardly of support portions 145 and/or 147 (if present) to assist inmoving air output by a fan (such as fan 74) inwardly, thereby assistingin maintaining target 138 centrally in a desired position relative to UVLED 140. A second fan may be provided for such air flow, with a secondand/or different flow path as compared to fan 74. Also, thetarget-aligning flow may pass through other portions of base 124 and/orlid 126, and not necessarily through plate 134.

One or more actuators as discussed above may be employed with device120. Actuators may be attached for direct movement of plates 132, 134,support 144, base 24, lid 26, etc. Actuator(s) may operate as above, andmay operate with sufficient frequency and amplitude so as to move and/orflip over target 138 on support 144 during operation.

A controller as discussed above may be employed for controlling UV 140LED and the actuator(s), wherein the controller sends signals to the UVLED to control at least one of the intensity, wavelength, duration andschedule of the emitted UV radiation, wherein the controller sendssignals to the actuator to control at least one of the frequency,amplitude, duration and schedule of the vibration of the actuator.

FIG. 13 shows a modified device 220 in which plate 134 has beeneliminated and actuator housing 250 is vibrationally attached directlyto support 244 by screws 252. Surface 232 and optionally surface 236 maybe UV reflective, although they need not be in all configurations.Support 244 includes portions 245/247/249, although all options andalternatives for the support mentioned above could be employed. Inparticular, due to the elimination of plate 134, support 244 could bemade into a more continuous or fully continuous plate rather than agrid, and/or could be made highly reflective to assist in illuminatingtarget 138. If support 244 is sufficiently reflective, it may be theonly reflective surface within device 220. Moreover, support 244 itselfneed not be reflective, nor are any other surfaces required to bereflective in all aspects of the disclosure. Of course, with lesseningor no reflective surfaces, device 220 may have to operate longer, withmore or stronger UV emitters, or other compensations may have to be madeto clean target 138 as completely as in other configurations.

FIG. 14 shows another alternative device 320 in which lower reflectiveplate 334 is provided beneath support 344 and is attached to actuatormount 350 by screws 352. Again, support 344 may or may not bereflective. Support 344 is shown with portions 345/347/349, but may bemodified as above to have other configurations. Surfaces 332 and 336 arenot reflective, but one or both could be.

FIG. 15-17 schematically show another alternate device 420 with a base424 and lid 426 connected by a hinge 428. A light source 440 forilluminating the target 438 within a light chamber is mounted in thebase 424, beneath a holding plate (support) 444 for holding the target438. No light source is in the lid. The light source may be one or moreof an LED, UV LED, etc., as described above, or the light source may bethe outlet of a waveguide for transmitting light from, for example, a UVLED, to a location in which the light can be introduced into thechamber. The light source 440 may be a single localized source 440 a, ormay include multiple sources 440 a and/or 440 b. One or more reflectiveplates 432 and/or 434 may be provided at a top and bottom of the chamber(within lid 426 and base 424, respectively) for reflecting light toimprove coverage on the target 488. Placing the light source 440 only inbase 424 locates it with other electronics, simplifies electricalconnection to the light source, and prevents wear and tear on connectingelectronics that might pass through or alongside the hinge between thebase and lid.

As shown, the holding plate/support 444 in FIG. 17 as solid (at leastpartially translucent/transparent), but it may alternatively be aperforated element 444 a with openings 444 b, as in FIG. 18 to improvelight or airflow transmission, or to allow drainage.

FIGS. 19-21 show another modified holding plate assembly that could beincorporated into any of the embodiments above. As shown in FIG. 21,holding plate 544 is rotatable on bearings 545 mounted to base 524.Plate 544 includes at least one (three shown) fin 547 that can cooperatewith one or more fans 548 in base 524 to effect the rotation of theholding plate to the base. FIG. 20 shows alternative plate 544 a withopenings 544 b for air, light, or liquid transmission. Either type ofholding plate may be mounted around its perimeter to the base orstructure attached to the base (as shown) and/or mounted centrally (notshown). Thus, the fan and the fins if included, comprise a means forrotating the support relative to the base so that the target movesrelative to the at least one UV emitter in the base. Fins are notstrictly required, and thus may be replaced by other structures that areinherently part of or that extend from holding plate, whether formedunitarily or added, so that impinging air from one or more fans causesthe relative rotation.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 22, a motor 648 can be provided in thebase to effect rotation of the bottom reflector and/or holding plate 644by mechanical drive connection 650 (geared, frictional, belts andpulleys, etc.), rather than via airflow. Also, actuators such as thoseprovided for vibration noted above can be configured and aligned with amovable holding plate or reflective surface to achieve relative rotationbetween such structure and the base. Such alternative structures alsomay comprise a means for rotating the support relative to the base sothat the target moves relative to the at least one UV emitter.

Rotation can be employed to allow different areas of the target to becovered by the light from the light source. If desired, the bottomreflective plate, not the holding plate could instead be rotatedrelative to the base. Also, if fans are provided for cooling and/ordrying, rotation allows such effects to be made more uniform via therotation. Optionally a cleaning liquid such as water, a disinfectant,alcohol, etc., may be sprayed by a pump within the base into the chamberand/or on to the target for further cleaning. If so, fans in the basemay assist with drying the target and/or chamber, and rotation mayassist with drying of such cleaning liquids. As shown in FIGS. 17-21,the holding plate may be continuous or perforated, as discussed above.

It should be kept in mind that the various options with the variousembodiments noted above regarding vibration, number and location ofreflective surfaces, plate shape, plate perforation, transmissivity,etc., can all be applied to the devices of FIGS. 15-22 or vice versa.

Otherwise, the following parameters may be adopted with the FIG. 15-22embodiments or the earlier embodiments.

One or more of the UV reflectors may have reflectivity of more than 0.1%in the wavelength range of about 200-300 nm. Also, the holding plate mayhave UV transparency more than 0.1° A in the wavelength range about200-300 nm. If the holding plate is perforated, the UV transparency maybe more than 0.1% in the wavelength range of about 200-300 nm, andperforation pattern (opening) size may be less than the size of theobject. Although, it should be understood that the holding plate neednot be UV transparent. UV transparency and/or reflectivity also does notnecessarily have to be more than 0.1% over the entire 200-300 nm range.Transparency and/or reflectivity may be less than that in certainwavelength range(s) except for the disinfection wavelength.

Fans and actuators are optional, and various types of similar anddifferent curvatures of the top and bottom reflectors could be employedfor optimized illumination of the target. The curvature of one or morereflectors could be changed by one or more actuators. A surface of oneor more of the reflectors and/or the holding plate may be uneven, forexample rough surface, polished surface, etc., to provide lightdiffusion and/or scattering for more uniform illumination of the target.The surface of UV reflector(s) and/or holding plate maybe patterned withpattern size comparable to the disinfection wavelength of light beingused.

The UV LED light may be coupled to the chamber through one or more holesin the bottom reflector and/or through a UV transparent window in thebottom reflector. The bottom UV reflector can be (i) a reflectingmaterial, (ii) a UV transparent material with at least one side coveredwith UV reflecting coating; or (iii) a multi-layered structure withmatching UV reflectance/transparency for optimal light waveguiding atdisinfection wavelength of light being used. The UV LED light may becoupled to the chamber via waveguiding and multiple reflections insidethe bottom reflector with light escape to the chamber through the topsurface of the reflector and/or the holding plate.

In view of the above, devices and methods are disclosed in FIGS. 11-22and discussed in relation thereto modifying or adding to the disclosedsubject matter of FIGS. 1-10. Aspects from each of the embodiments maybe used apart from the remaining aspects of their respective embodimentsand may be combined in various ways with other aspects of thisdisclosure. Thus, the disclosed devices and methods may incorporatechanging the shape of or eliminating any one, two, or all of the UVreflective plates by modifying the surface profile and/or reflectivityof the support, by providing vertical vibration (in combination oralone) sufficient to cause the target to flip over on the support, bythe configuring actuator mount in different ways or by connecting theactuator mount to different elements, by providing an air flow from fan(or an additional fan) to help keep the target centered beneath the UVemitter, etc.

While preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above,it is to be understood that any and all equivalent realizations of thepresent invention are included within the scope and spirit thereof.Thus, the embodiments depicted are presented by way of example only andare not intended as limitations upon the present invention. Thus, whileparticular embodiments of the invention have been described and shown,it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in this art that thepresent invention is not limited thereto since many modifications can bemade. Therefore, it is contemplated that any and all such embodimentsare included in the present invention as may fall within the literal orequivalent scope of the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A device for cleaning a target comprising: a housingincluding a base and a lid; a chamber within the housing having a topwithin the lid, a bottom within the base, and at least one UV reflectiveplate; at least one UV emitter attached to the housing and positioned toemit UV radiation into the chamber, all of the at least one UV emittersbeing located in the base of the housing and none of the at least one UVemitters being located in the lid of the housing; and a support attachedto the housing and located in the chamber, the support configured forlocating the target so that the UV radiation illuminates the target. 2.The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one UV reflective plate islocated adjacent the top of the chamber above the support in the lid. 3.The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one UV reflective plate islocated adjacent the bottom of the chamber below the support in thebase.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one UV reflectiveplate includes a first UV reflective plate located adjacent the top ofthe chamber above the support in the lid and a second UV reflectiveplate located adjacent the bottom of the chamber below the support inthe base.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the base and the lid areattached together by a hinge.
 6. The device of claim 1, furtherincluding at least one actuator in the base for creating vibrationsufficient to move the target relative to the support.
 7. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the support is rotatably mounted to the base, rotationof the support causing the target to be moved relative to the at leastone UV emitter in the base.
 8. The device of claim 7, further includinga fan in the base for providing an airflow sufficient to rotate thesupport relative to the base.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein at leastone fin is attached to a bottom surface of the support, the airflow fromthe fan impinging on the at least one fin to rotate the support relativeto the base.
 10. The device of claim 7, further including a motor in thebase with a driven output configured for rotating the support relativeto the base.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the support includes atop surface defining a depression in a center thereof configured forreceiving the target and gravitationally urging the target toward alocation in which the UV radiation illuminates the target.
 12. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the at least one UV emitter includes a firstUV emitter centrally located beneath the support within the base and atleast one second UV emitter spaced radially from the first UV emitter.13. The device of claim 12, including three of the second UV emittersspaced around the first UV emitter.
 14. The device of claim 12, whereinthe first UV emitter and the second UV emitter each include one of anLED, a UV LED, or a waveguide outlet.
 15. A device for cleaning a targetcomprising: a housing including a base and a lid; a chamber within thehousing having a top within the lid, a bottom within the base, and atleast one UV reflective plate; at least one UV emitter attached to thehousing and positioned to emit UV radiation into the chamber; a supportrotatably attached to the housing and located in the chamber, thesupport configured for locating the target so that the UV radiationilluminates the target; and means for rotating the support relative tothe base so that the target moves relative to the at least one UVemitter.
 16. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one UVreflective plate includes a first UV reflective plate located adjacentthe top of the chamber above the support in the lid and a second UVreflective plate located adjacent the bottom of the chamber below thesupport in the base.
 17. The device of claim 15, wherein the means forrotating includes a fan in the base for providing an airflow sufficientto rotate the support relative to the base.
 18. The device of claim 17,wherein the means for rotating includes at least one fin attached to abottom surface of the support, the airflow from the fan impinging on theat least one fin to rotate the support relative to the base.
 19. Thedevice of claim 7, wherein the means for rotating includes a motor inthe base with a driven output configured for rotating the supportrelative to the base.
 20. The device of claim 15, wherein all of the atleast one UV emitters are located in the base of the housing and none ofthe at least one UV emitters are located in the lid of the housing. 21.The device of claim 20, wherein the at least one UV emitter includes afirst UV emitter centrally located beneath the support within the baseand at least one second UV emitter spaced radially from the first UVemitter.
 22. A device for cleaning a target comprising: a housingincluding a base and a lid; a chamber within the housing having a topwithin the lid, a bottom within the base, and at least one UV reflectiveplate; at least one UV emitter attached to the housing and positioned toemit UV radiation into the chamber; a support rotatably attached to thehousing and located in the chamber, the support configured for locatingthe target so that the UV radiation illuminates the target, the supportincluding at least one fin attached to a bottom surface of the support;and a fan for providing an airflow impinging on the at least one fin torotate the support relative to the base to thereby move the targetrelative to the at least one UV emitter.
 23. The device of claim 22,wherein the at least one UV reflective plate includes a first UVreflective plate located adjacent the top of the chamber above thesupport in the lid and a second UV reflective plate located adjacent thebottom of the chamber below the support in the base.
 24. The device ofclaim 23, wherein all of the at least one UV emitters are located in thebase of the housing and none of the at least one UV emitters are locatedin the lid of the housing.
 25. A device for cleaning a targetcomprising: a housing including a base and a lid; a chamber within thehousing having a top within the lid, a bottom within the base, and atleast one UV reflective plate; at least one UV emitter attached to thehousing and positioned to emit UV radiation into the chamber; a supportrotatably attached to the housing and located in the chamber, thesupport configured for locating the target so that the UV radiationilluminates the target; and a motor in the base with a driven outputconfigured for rotating the support relative to the base to thereby movethe target relative to the at least one UV emitter.
 26. The device ofclaim 25, wherein the at least one UV reflective plate includes a firstUV reflective plate located adjacent the top of the chamber above thesupport in the lid and a second UV reflective plate located adjacent thebottom of the chamber below the support in the base.
 27. The device ofclaim 26, wherein all of the at least one UV emitters are located in thebase of the housing and none of the at least one UV emitters are locatedin the lid of the housing.